The government and major publishers will jointly crack down on online piracy, demanding that operators of web sites illegally offering Japanese manga and anime remove such sites, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

Starting from Friday, the government and about 30 Japanese publishers will request operators of about 300 web sites, via e-mail or other means, to shut down their sites, on which pirated versions of Japanese manga and anime are available for free, according to sources.

Such unauthorized sites are operated in China, South Korea and Spain. If recipients do not comply with the demand, the Japanese side will warn them that they may face a legal action by local courts, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the government and the publishers are planning to open a web site "Manga-Anime here" to introduce sites that release authorised versions of Japanese products, aiming to expand overseas fans who pay fees properly to enjoy the popular works.

Due to an increasing number of copyrighted works available for free, it becomes difficult for creators and publishers to gain fees-which should originally be paid to them, eventually causing a decline of the entire industry.

Sites subject to removal will be those offering about 80 anime titles, including "One Piece" and "Mobile Suit Gundam," and about 500 manga titles, including "Crayon Shinchan" and "Detective Conan."